Supporting-leg for washtubs



T..S. CASNER.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920. 2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

T. S. CASNER SUPPORTING LEG FOR WASHTUBS.

APPLICATI'ON FILED SEPT. 4, 1919.

1,337,997, v Patented Apr. 27,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES IN I? ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THADDEUS STEPHENS OA SNER, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

SUPPORTING-LEG FOR WASHTUBS.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THADDEUS S. CASNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of-P lainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supporting-Legs for lVashtubs, of which the following is a, specification.

My invention relates to wash tubs and' particularly to a detachable leg porting a tub in elevated position.

It is the purpose of my inventionto provide a detachable tub leg of simple and efli for supcient construction having means associated. therewith for rigidly gripping and supporting the tub, which is adjustable to accommodate tubs of various heights.

T will describe one form of leg embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, showing in perspective a wash tub having applied thereto one form of leg embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the tub shown in Fig.1, with the supporting leg in front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view similarto Fig. 2, showing the leg in side elevation; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the, several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, T designates a wash tub of the usual construction, including a tapered body 15 having an annular bead 16 formed on the upper edge thereof,

' and a depending annular flange 17 formed on its lower edge.

The legs which constitute the subjectgenerally at L, and each comprises a shank portion 18, preferably formed of wood and which is preferably rectangular in cross shank 18 is a wedge-shaped block 19, which is formed of the same material as the shank and extends from the upper end thereof to a point substantially medially of the same. Secured to the outer face of the shank 18, at a point between the ends of the wedge 19, is a rack bar R, which comprises a plurality of up-turned teeth 20 separated by intervening notches 21. This rack bar R is preferably cast or stamped from a single medial portion of the bracket 1 gle with the side portions Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 2'7, 1920. Application filed September 4, 1919.

Serial No. 321,561.

length of metal, the opposite ends thereof being flat and formed with openings to receive fastening members 22. These fastening members also serve to secure the opposite ends of a substantially U-shaped yoke Y, which has its medial portion arranged in spaced parallel relation to the rack bar B so as to function as a guard plate and to confine a supporting bracket B in operative relation to the rack bar, as will be hereinafter described. The bracket 13 is formed from a single length of wire bent in the form of a U, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The ends of the bracket B are bent upon themselves to provide hooks 28, which are adapted to engage the flange 17 of the tub, as shown in Fig. 8. The B is adapted to seat within any one of the notches 21 of the rack bar R, while the parallel portions of such bracket are arranged upon opposite sides of the shank 18. From this arrangement, it will be seen that the yoke Y serves to confine the medial portion of the bracket upon the rack bar R at the same time permitting the bracket to be adjusted to seat within any one of the notches 21.

Formed adjacent the upper end of the shank 18 is an opening for loosely receiving the free ends of a link D, so as to pivotally support the same upon the shank 18. The link D is formed from a single length of wire which is bent in the form of a rectanthereof tapering outwardly to accommodate the side portions of a gripping member G, as clearl Y shown 1 in Figs. 2 and 5. The lower end of the link D is adapted when in its active position to seat within a groove or notch 24. formed on the outer face of the shank 18 and to thereby lock the gripping member matter of my invention are each designated G against upward movement, as will be hereinafter described.

The gripping member G is formed from a single length of resilient wire which is section. Secured to the-inner face of' the bent longitudinally in the form of an arc, its upper end terminating in a reverse bend to provide a hook 25, while the lower free ends thereof are bent upon themselves to provide eyes 26 for loosely receiving the lower end of the link D.

In the applied position of each leg L, the block 19 contacts with the inclined side wall of the body 15, so that the shank 18 as well as the tub T assumes a vertical po sition. The bracket B is now arranged so that the hooks 23 engage the flange 17, and when three of the legs are applied to a tub, as shown in Fig. 1, the brackets B of each leg coact to support the tub in elevated position. Each gripping member G is now swung downwardly, so as to cause the hook 255 to engage the bead 16 while the lower end of the link D moves into the notch 2 1 and thereby locks the member G against upward movement. During this movement the link D and the member G acting together form a toggle, the link D being under compression and the member G under tension when in active position. As the lower end of link D swings down to its lowermost position, the tension on member G gradually increases until the lower end of link D is on a line, projecting through the top flange 16 of the tub and fulcrum point of the link D, thereby securing the desired locking effect. A slight further movement of the lower end of the link D toward the tub carries it over dead center and automatically locks and holds the link and member G in active position, During the movement of the gripping member to the active position, the tub is forced downwardly against the hooks 23,

and because of the fact that the gripping member. G is formed of resilient material, it is held under tension when in applied position so as to firmly grip the tub. Should,

not the distance between the bead 16 and the flange 17 correspond to the distance between the hook 25 and the hooks 23, the bracket B is adjusted vertically upon the rack R until these distances are approximately equal so as to firmly grip the tub and support the same in elevated position. Should the space between any two adjacent teeth 20 be greater than the required adjustment of the bracket 13 to efiect a firm grip of the tub, the gripping member Gr being formed of resilient material and curved, will be extended or sprung longitudinally to a small degree when moving the member into gripping position so as to provide the necessary space for the reception ofthe tub. From this operation, it will be seen that I provide the necessary adjustment to accommodate tubs of various heights,that is, within reasonable limits, and that in any adjusted position of the bracket B the gripping member G effectively coacts with the bracket to firmly grip the tub and hold the same in proper position upon the shank 18.

Although I have hereln shown and described only one form of supporting leg to engage thelower edge of the tub, a link 7 pivoted on the shank above said bracket for outward swinging movement, and a gripping member pivotally connected to said link at its lower end and having its upper end bent to provide a hook for engaging the upper edge of a tub.

2. A supporting leg for tubs comprising a shank, a wedge block secured to the inner v face of said shank, a rack bar secured to the outer face of said shank and formed withupwardly-extending teeth, a supporting bracket adjustable on said rack bar and formed with hooks adapted to engage the lower edge of the tub, a yoke carried by said rack bar for confining said bracket upon the bar, and pivoted gripping means carried by said shank which is movable to force the tub downwardly against said bracket and to hold the same against said shank.

8. A supporting leg for tubs comprising 7 a shank, a bracket on said shank and adapted to engage the lower edge of a tub for supporting the same upon said shank, a link pivotedon the shank, a gripping member pivotally connected to said shank, and curved longitudinally in the direction of the shank and bent at its upper end to provide a hook, and a notch formed insaid shank b elow the pivot point of said link for receiv-' ing the latter to lock the member in applied position.

i. A supportmg leg for tubs comprising a shank, supporting means on said shank adapted to engage the lower edge of a tub,"

and a toggle on said shank movable to engage the upper edge of a tub and to force the latter against said bracket; a

-5. A supporting leg for tubs comprising ashank supporting means on said shank adapted to engage'the lower edge ofa tub,

ioc

a link pivoted to said shank, and a gripping 1 member pivoted at oneend to the tree end of said link and formed at its opposite end with a hook which is adapted to engage the upper edge of a tub. I

THADDEUS STEPHENS ensues. 

